The Council of Enfield Council is scheduled to convene on Wednesday, 16 September 2026. The agenda includes discussions on the borough's strategic direction, planning functions, and a series of motions addressing local issues.

Council Plan 2026-2030

A proposed item for discussion is the adoption of the new Council Plan 2026-2030, titled Delivering for Enfield. This plan outlines the council's strategic direction and priorities for the next four years, intended to replace the previous Investing in Enfield plan. The proposed plan is structured around seven overarching priority outcomes: A Cleaner Enfield, A Greener Enfield, A Safer Enfield, A Thriving Enfield, A Stronger Enfield, An Affordable Enfield, and A Connected Enfield. For each priority, strategic actions are detailed to guide the council's work. The report highlights that the plan has been informed by an administration manifesto, socio-economic data analysis, performance data, local outcomes framework analysis, and benchmarking with other local authorities. The plan aims to provide a clear corporate direction, guide decision-making and investment, and ensure accountability for improving resident outcomes. It also details how progress will be monitored through new performance scorecards and annual service plans. The Delivering for Enfield plan is intended to support the delivery of the Fairer Enfield: Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy and is expected to have positive impacts across all protected characteristics and socio-economic groups, with particular focus on age, disability, care experience, and socio-economic status.

Amendments to the Constitution - National Scheme of Delegation of Planning Functions

The Council is also scheduled to consider amendments to its Constitution to implement the requirements of the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 and associated regulations. These changes would establish a national scheme for the delegation of local planning functions, requiring certain types of planning applications to be determined by officers, with specific criteria for when applications can be referred to the Planning Committee. The proposed amendments include new terms of reference for the Planning Committee and a detailed protocol to govern decision-making in accordance with the new legislation. The report outlines a two-tier approach based on schedules of application types, with Schedule 1 applications requiring officer determination unless they are own interests applications, and Schedule 2 applications being presumed for officer delegation unless they meet specific Gateway Test criteria relating to economic, social, or environmental significance, or significant planning matters. The report clarifies that decisions taken after 31 October 2026 must comply with these regulations to avoid legal challenge.

Scrutiny Annual Work Programmes 2026/27

The Council will be asked to consider the draft work programmes for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) and its four standing Scrutiny Panels for the 2026/27 municipal year. These programmes have been developed through a facilitative workshop approach, with input from Cabinet and the Executive Management Team. The four panels are: Culture and Environment; Healthy and Safe Communities; Thriving Children and Young People; and Housing and Regeneration. The work programmes aim to scrutinise key areas of council activity, with a focus on in-depth reviews, user engagement, and detailed reporting. Notable topics include the Enfield Growth Plan, the Council Plan 2026-2030, financial updates, the Strategic Partnership Board, the Local Plan, and corporate performance. The Culture and Environment panel's agenda includes reviews of parking policy, parks and green spaces, recycling and waste management, and fly-tipping. The Healthy and Safe Communities panel will examine safeguarding, mental health services, adult social care, and strategies for tackling anti-social behaviour. The Thriving Children and Young People panel's work programme covers SEND reforms, school deficits, youth strategy, and safeguarding. The Housing and Regeneration panel will focus on temporary accommodation, homelessness, private empty homes, small sites, brownfield development, and town centre regeneration.

Motions

A series of motions are scheduled for discussion, covering a wide range of local issues:

• Civic Flag Protocol: A motion has been put forward proposing a review of the current Civic Flag Protocol to ensure it promotes equality, inclusivity, and community cohesion, while considering the development of an annual programme for civic, national, commemorative, and community flags.
• UK Nature's Rights Bill: A motion calls for the Council to express support for the foundational principles of the UK Nature's Rights Bill and its Integrated Rights Framework, urging local Members of Parliament to support its progress through Parliament.
• School Provision: A motion addresses concerns regarding the future of Bishop Stopford's School, Starks Field Primary School, and Suffolks Primary School. It calls for schools to be kept open where possible, for transparent consultation processes, and for a joined-up strategy linking housing, education, and population growth, with a priority for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision.
• NSL Limited and Marston Holdings: A motion expresses opposition to the proposed transfer of CCTV monitoring functions by NSL Limited to Marston Holdings, which could lead to redundancies in Enfield. The motion calls for discussions to protect local jobs and for officers to engage with NSL regarding contract implications.
• Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ): A motion proposes congratulating the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, on the introduction and expansion of the ULEZ, welcoming new evidence of improvements in children's lung health and reaffirming the Council's commitment to reducing air pollution.
• Pride in Place Programme: A motion welcomes the Labour Government's Pride in Place Programme, which is set to invest £40 million in Enfield Wash and Lower Edmonton over ten years, and commits the Council to working constructively with Neighbourhood Boards to maximise the benefits of this investment.
• Allotment Bonfires: A motion addresses concerns about bonfires at allotments, proposing the introduction of Fixed Penalty Notices, a review of further legal powers, and work with allotment associations to promote alternative waste disposal methods.
• Water Sustainability: A motion calls for the Council to play its part in establishing water sustainability by considering building regulations for new properties and engaging with Thames Water and Affinity Water to support proposals for a new reservoir.
• Commercial Bin Use: A motion addresses the issue of business use of large commercial bins, proposing a three-pronged policy of clarity, robust determination of bin space through planning, and enforcement with zero tolerance for failure to dispose of waste appropriately.
• Government Resilience Strategy: A motion calls for Council support for the Government's resilience strategy, requesting a report by January 2027 on how the Council will support the Labour Government in creating a nation more capable of withstanding challenges and how residents will be engaged.
• Cabinet Member for Children's Services Role: A motion calls on the minority administration to review the allocation of responsibilities, ensuring the role of Cabinet Member for Children's Services is a standalone position with undivided focus, separated from the Chief Whip role.
• Climate Change Impacts on Schools: A motion highlights the growing impacts of climate change on schools, including overheating, and calls for accelerated funding and delivery of a comprehensive school retrofit programme, prioritising practical adaptation measures.
• Enfield Climate Action Plan 2024: A motion reaffirms commitment to the Enfield Climate Action Plan 2024 and its targets for carbon neutrality, calling on the Cabinet to honour commitments, implement actions without delay, and ensure annual public reporting on progress.
• Public Health Funding: A motion calls on the administration to demonstrate how public health funding contributes to the Government's prevention agenda and is targeted towards communities experiencing the greatest health inequalities.
• Fly-tipping Service Standard: A motion requires the Council to introduce a published service standard for investigating and removing reported fly-tipping within 48 hours.
• Emergency Services Support: A motion expresses the Council's support for emergency service workers and resolves to work closely with local emergency services to strengthen partnership working and improve emergency preparedness and resilience.
• Flying the Union Flag: A motion encourages residents to express their love for living in the United Kingdom by flying the Union flag, emphasising its role as a symbol of unity.
• Fly-tipping and Littering: A motion notes that fly-tipping is a criminal act and a blight on the environment, resolving to continue identifying and fining those who fly-tip, lobbying the Government for financial responsibility for private land, and supporting community litter picks.
• Crews Hill Businesses: A motion celebrates Crews Hill as a destination shopping location and calls for new homes to be built on brownfield sites, protecting the Green Belt and businesses in Crews Hill.
• Squirrel Scouts Birthday: A motion celebrates the 5th birthday of Squirrel Scouts and commits the Council to promoting uniformed youth organisations across Enfield.
• Speeding on Roads: A motion agrees to investigate the deployment of average speed cameras on other roads affected by regular speeding, work with the Police to increase speed enforcement patrols, and encourage public sign-ups to the Metropolitan Police Community Roadwatch scheme.

Committee Memberships and Other Appointments

The Council is also scheduled to consider committee memberships and nominations to outside bodies, including appointments to the Licensing Committee, Health and Wellbeing Board, Conservation and Heritage Advisory Board, Learning Disabilities Partnership Board, Royal Free Hospital Trust, and the Joint Health Overview Scrutiny Committee for North Central London Sector.